LOS ANGELES - Nov. 25, 2014 - Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back.  The third annual #GivingTuesday will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.  Nonprofit, School on Wheels ask that you donate to help its organization to continue to provide educational support for homeless children in Southern California. Any donations made on Giving Tuesday will be doubled thanks to a matching grant.
 

A new report by the National Center on Family Homelessness found that child homelessness has increased to nearly 2.5 million children in the United States. That means that one in 30 children are homeless in our country, and the number is rising in a majority of states. The number of homeless children in California alone has increased to over 500,000.  #Unselfie is a show of support for #GivingTuesday and School on Wheels' new President of the Board, Josh Fein, started early by participating in this year's HomeWalk in Exposition Park, Los Angeles on November 15th which was part of the National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week. 

 

"I am excited to be selected as the new Board President for School on Wheels. My main goal is to involve more local organizations and individuals with School on Wheels, enabling us to reach more of Southern California's at-risk populations, homeless children, and to continue to shrink the educational gaps" - Josh Fein.

 

Fein has been a board member for School on Wheels since 2010 when he heard about the program through his work as a property manager.  School on Wheels was looking for a new location for their learning center on Skid Row and in working with School on Wheels Fein became enamored by the grass roots nonprofit and its mission, so made the decision to join the team!

 

"I am delighted that Josh has been elected as the new President of the Board," said Catherine Meek, Executive Director.  "His passion, talents, and experience will help School on Wheels reach out to more homeless children and more volunteers than ever before." 

 

Fein's 'Unselfie' photo will kick off this year's online giving campaign for School on Wheels.  The organization is asking for the Gift of Time and would like individuals and organizations to get involved with their local communities and help those that need our help the most - homeless children.

 

Join Fein and thousands of others and "Give Time' this holiday season, here are some suggestions:

• Take an #Unselfie and show your support for School on Wheels or other local nonprofits in your community
• Share information about your favorite nonprofit on twitter or Facebook
• #GivingTuesday - Join the campaign to give back this holiday season and donate to your favorite nonprofit.  Visit GlobalGiving to find out more and let's be #Unselfie together!

To learn more about School on Wheels, volunteering or donating please visit: www.schoolonwheels.org 

 

 

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ABOUT SCHOOL ON WHEELS

 

School on Wheels, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1993 by Agnes Stevens, a retired teacher. After reading Jonathan Kozol's Rachel and her Children, Agnes realized the extent of homelessness in the USA. She began tutoring homeless kids in a park in Santa Monica, encouraging them to stay in school and participate in school activities.

Today, hundreds of volunteers work one-on-one with children whose homelessness prevents them from receiving the academic stability and help they desperately need. The heart of the School on Wheels' program is the volunteer tutors who come from all backgrounds and professions, with a shared goal - to reach out to a child, to teach, to mentor, and assist in his or her educational life. 

The mission of School on Wheels is to enhance educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through twelfth grade.  The goal is to shrink the gaps in their education and provide them with the highest level of education possible.  Their program serves as a consistent support system to homeless students at a time of great stress and fear.  School on Wheels brings the message to homeless students that they are cared about and important. They do this by offering: